Quantum technologies: Italia at the forefront in Europe

Italy is also among the key players in the second quantum revolution – the technological leap that harnesses the bizarre world of quantum physics to create a new generation of innovative applications, ranging from fusion research to future GPS-free navigation systems. This shift is fuelling the emergence of an ecosystem in which research and business engage in dialogue and collaborate, as highlighted at the event ‘Understanding the quantum revolution: research, innovation and society’, organised by ANSA at the Accademia dei Lincei, in partnership with Deas Cyber+ and Q8.

“Quantum physics began almost as a kind of philosophical enquiry, but that theory went on to lead to technologies that are fundamental to our society – one need only think of lasers or the navigation systems we use every day,” said Massimo Inguscio, a member of the Accademia dei Lincei and president of Eniquantic – “But today, these technologies are evolving through quantum communications, sensors and computers.”

It is a transformation that promises to revolutionise every sector: from cyber security to biology and energy. “Quantum computers, in particular, are one of the cornerstones of cutting-edge research; together with traditional supercomputers and artificial intelligence, they will enable us to work on the energy of the future – controlled fusion.”

The quantum challenge is engaging all the world’s major powers, with Italia playing a leading role, building on its strong scientific tradition in the field of quantum physics. Building on this foundation, Italy has taken action in recent years by defining its National Quantum Strategy and establishing the Italian Quantum Alliance. “An initiative,” said Elisa Ercolessi of the University of Bologna and president of the Italian Quantum Alliance, “that was set up to bring together all Italian organisations in the sector, both academic and commercial, in order to foster the development of an ecosystem and bring applications from the laboratory to the market.”

The results were not long in coming and have enabled us to achieve milestones of the very highest calibre, starting with the development of Italia’s first superconducting quantum computer at the University of Naples Federico II under the leadership of Francesco Tafuri, and the innovative photonic computer Qolossus, developed at Sapienza University of Rome under the leadership of Fabio Sciarrino. It is a research system that “is leading to the development of a significant industrial ecosystem and which requires continuity, including in terms of funding”, emphasised Paolo Cremonesi, of the Politecnico di Milano and ‘Quantum Computing’ lead at the ICSC National Centre. The vitality of the sector is also evidenced by the emergence of Italian quantum companies active across many sectors, from the new frontiers of cyber-security brought about by the advent of quantum computers – as in the case of Deas Cyber+ – to ultra-secure communications based on entangled photons, such as the spin-off Qti, which emerged from the National Research Council, and to devices for navigating ships and aircraft without the use of GPS, developed by Leonardo.